(AP)One name was mentioned more than 20 times in Michael Cohen's 2019 testimony to Congress.House Democrats asked him who else could have access to financial records or business records that could be used to indict Donald Trump. The list included everything from Russia connections to scandalous payments to an adult film star to his campaign connections. His former attorney also listed names of Trump insiders, starting with Allen Weisselberg.Other than Mr Trump's former president, the man in the middle of criminal investigations and criminal charges regarding his business is an accountant who is not interested in the press. He has been the company's financial director for many decades.After a long-running investigation by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office and parallel investigations by the New York State Attorney General into tax fraud and tax evasion, Mr Weisselberg was criminally charged as the Trump Organization's long-standing chief financial officer.He pleaded guilty to 15 charges, including grand larceny, tax fraud, and conspiracy.Prosecutors claim that Mr Wesselberg was involved in a 15-year conspiracy, which included evading taxes on income of $1.7m.The trust that holds the company is controlled by the ex-president and his adult sons, as well as Mr Weisselberg (the only person who has not been named Trump) to oversee its accounting.According to The Associated Press, Mr Weisselberg's name appears on many other documents and company cheques dating back decades. He would also be familiar with the tax returns of its lenders and investors and would likely keep track of every penny that goes in and out.Due to his institutional knowledge, potential testimony and evidence coming from one of Trump's longest-serving confidants could expose Trump in a criminal case.Mary Mulligan, Mr Weisselberg's attorney, declined to comment to The Independent.Continue the storyHe is now 73 years old and first began working with Trump in 1970s when he was under Fred Trump, the ex-president's father. This was long before Trump's legacy of real estate fortunes, failures and success. In fact, Weisselberg appeared briefly on an episode of NBCs The Apprentice in 2004.The Weisselberg clan has also grown to include the Trumps. Barry Weisselberg, the son of Weisselberg, has managed the Trump Wollman Rink at Central Park. Jack Weisselberg is the executive director of Ladder Capital. This lender is one of the largest for the Trump Organization along with Deutsche Bank.Jennifer Weisselberg was married for 14 years to Barry Weisselberg's son. She cooperated with the most recent investigations and suggested that prosecutors are trying to flip the CFO.As part of an investigation, Cohen pleaded guilty campaign finance violations after purchasing the silence of two women, Stormy Daniels centrefold Karen McDougal, Mr Weisselberg also spoke with federal prosecutors.Cohen linked Mr Weisselberg to the $130,000 payment to Miss Daniels, though he was not charged.He was granted limited immunity by the grand jury, which would prevent any truthful statements being used against him in a criminal trial.After a long legal battle, which reached the US Supreme Court, the Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance's office obtained financial documents for years from the former president in February.Although the office has not made public the potential allegations, court filings from 2020 showed that his office claimed that previous allegations of tax fraud and insurance fraud justifies a grand jury investigation into the former president of the United States and his company.Prosecutors argued in documents filed at the US Circuit Court of Appeals that the president could be accused of making numerous allegations, including misstatements regarding his business assets to potential lenders, insurers, and the government, as well as tax and insurance fraud, and falsification of business records.The nation's high court dismissed arguments by the former president and his legal teams that he had executive immunity from complying to subpoenas. However, he brushed aside the investigation as part of a fishing expedition or a partisan witch hunting.The Trump Organization's legal team expects to face charges for alleged failures in tax payments on fringe benefits and corporate benefits, such as cash and cars, that were given to employees. It is unclear who was entitled to these benefits or what their total amount to.Following reports of imminent criminal charges against his company, Trump stated that his business dealings were a common practice in the US business community and not a crime.Additional reporting by The Associated PressContinue readingWhat it could mean for Trump's ex-president: Why Trump Organization could be facing criminal chargesTrump attacks rivals in new Michael Wolff interview. Absolute scum, treachery, and fake witch-huntsReport says Trump Organization and its CFO will face criminal chargesTrump Organization has been given a Monday deadline by the New York DA to not file charges against themReport says that Trump Finance chief Allen Weisselberg is under criminal investigation by the NY attorney general
